WASATCH PENSTEMON

Penstemon cyananthus

The deep, royal blue flower color of Wasatch penstemon is much sought-after by gardeners, making this one of the most desirable of the large number of penstemons native to our region. Its flowers are not the largest, but they are densely clustered along the stem for a very showy effect, and they contrast nicely with the bright green foliage. Wasatch penstemon grows from the sagebrush steppe and oak-maple woodlands of the foothills up into the aspen parklands and mountain meadows. It is not quite as drought-hardy as most penstemons and is also somewhat more tolerant of overwatering, though like most of its relatives, it appreciates good drainage. It performs well in meadow mixes with grasses like bluebunch wheatgrass and makes a good companion for Utah sweetvetch, Lewis flax, and sulfurflower and Hercules buckwheat.